Explanation and Prevention of Evil in the Religious, Theological and Demonological Perspective

Abstract

This article highlights basic characteristics of demonological explanations of socially forbidden behaviours, i.e., the oldest and the most influential criminological theories in human history. The introductory part shows the typical functions of religion and reasons for the tenacity of life of this all-too-human cultural phenomenon, which could be interpreted and experienced in a variety of historically changeable ways. Special attention is focused upon the religious solution to the obstinate problem of evil (e.g., disjunction between what is and what ought to be, nature and morality, virtue and happiness) and making sense of unyielding and at least theoretically avoidable human suffering:The central part deals with the Christian dogma of falling from grace, implications and control of human sinfulness, and key forms of sinful acts. In conclusion, the analysis refers to the historical role that the extremely repressive and ideological persecution of medieval heretical sects and witches in the beginning centuries of the modern era had in the conquering rise of the world capitalist system.